School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) Collection

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/4196

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    Adoption of organic fertilizers and effects on maize production in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2023) Kaahwa, Nickson.
    The study explored the roles and contribution of organic fertilizers on maize production in Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were: to characterize the socio-economic characteristics of maize producers; assess the maize production by maize crop framers and evaluate the effect of use of organic fertilizer on maize yields by maize farmers in Uganda. The study adopted primary data that was collected by Uganda Bureau of Statistics in 2019/2020 agriculture survey. The extracted data was from 14 sub regions of Uganda. The used data is quantitative in nature which will facilitate analysis about research objectives. Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the social-economic characteristics of household farms. Also, logitic model is used to analyze the determinants of organic fertilizer use among the maize farmers in Uganda. Besides, ordinary least square method was used to evaluate the effect of the use of organic fertilizer on the level of maize production in Uganda. The study results indicated that there is positive significant relationship between the use of organic manure and maize productivity in Uganda. This implied that when the application of organic fertilizer increased amongst the farm households, maize production drastically increased and therefore farmers should be trained on the how to use organic fertilizers and the associated impacts on its use. The study findings also indicated that males were 844 (68.6%) and female were 387 (31.4%). However, out of 844 males, only 354 used organic manure and 490 did not use organic manure. This implied that men were more than women and more than those who use organic manure and therefore women should be encouraged to join farming and also promote the use of organic fertilizers to enhance maize production in Uganda. The results also indicated that the use of organic manure is significantly associated with the education level (p=0.025), accessed extension services (p=0.018), use of improved maize seed (p=0.006), enough household labor (p=0.045), farming experience (p=0.000). This implied that education level accessed, extension services, use of improved maize seed, enough household labor, and farming experience in years influence the use of organic fertilizer in maize production in Uganda and therefore the government should provide the service as mentioned above so as to increase o maize productivity in Uganda.
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    Influence of tomato characteristics on consumer purchasing behavior.
    (Makerere University, 2026) Akello, Dorcus.
    Tomatoes are a key vegetable crop for food security and income in Uganda, yet limited context-specific evidence exists on how product attributes drive consumer purchasing decisions in urban markets like Kampala Metropolis. This study was conducted to examine the influence of tomato characteristics on consumer purchasing behavior to inform strategies for improving product quality and market efficiency. The study used a cross-sectional research design with quantitative approaches. Using a survey method, primary data was collected from a simple random sample of 153 tomato consumers in Kampala Metropolis. Data were analyzed using STATA with descriptive statistics, frequencies, proportions, and logistic regression to establish relationships between tomato characteristics and consumer purchasing behavior. The findings revealed that consumers in Kampala Metropolis were predominantly female, young, educated, coming from medium-sized households, and spending both low and high amounts of money on tomatoes weekly. This suggests that the urban tomato market is made up of a mixture of both price conscious and non-price conscious consumers. In addition, high-quantity tomato purchase in Kampala Metropolis is primarily influenced by product quality attributes of freshness and color, size, consumer safety and price. Tomato consumption also increases with consumer’s education but, decreases with consumer’s age. Therefore, in order to promote tomato consumption in Uganda, traders should grade and market tomatoes according to consumer quality and price preferences, while the government and relevant stakeholders should strengthen food safety standards and run targeted awareness campaigns to build consumer confidence, especially among the youth. Establishment of cold chain infrastructure and specialized fresh produce markets in urban areas by government will also enable traders of tomatoes to keep it fresh and safe for the benefit of their consumers.
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    Assessing the effects of post harvest losses on profitability of tomatoes traders: a case study of Gulu city, Uganda.
    (Makerere University, 2025) Ajok, Prisca.
    Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production is a major source of income for majority of households in Uganda. However, tomatoes are perishable crop and detoriates few days after harvest, loosing almost all its required quality attributes and some could result into total waste. Postharvest losses have been highlighted as one of the most determinant of food problem in most developing country like Uganda. This study is to assess the effect of postharvest losses on the profitability of tomatoes enterprises in Gulu city. This was done through characterizing tomato traders, determining the gross margin(profits)of tomato enterprises and effect of postharvest losses on profitability of tomato enterprises in Gulu city. The study used primary data to collect data from 72 respondents and employed descriptive survey method and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics indicating frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation and linear regression model was used to analyze effect of postharvest loses on profitability of tomato among traders. The results indicated that being a member of traders’ association and the storage coefficient were positive and significant effect on profitability of tomato enterprises while the marital status, source of tomato, quantity of tomato lost during transportation coefficient were negative and significantly affected profitability the mean age were 39.83 years with experience of 9.4 years and average ton of 1.7 tons monthly. In conclusion, Traders on average made a yearly gross margin of 1,369,947.2 and incurred postharvest losses equivalent to 56 kgs, PHL is caused by inefficient storage facilities, delays in reaching the market, chemical use, inadequate transportation, and improper handling. The study therefore recommends that the government has to reconstruct and develop roads to ease transportation, financial institutions should also open and extend more credit institutions to very many parts of the country to ease access to credit, enhancing of transparency and pricing by market stakeholders including farmers and Providing extension services to traders on marketing.
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    Information flow (use of ICT) among sweet potato silage users in livestock management in Kampala Metropolitan Area
    (Makerere University, 2025) Opoka, James.
    This study investigates the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools in facilitating information flow among sweet potato silage users in livestock management within Wakiso District, Uganda. As livestock farming evolves from subsistence to commercial practice, the integration of ICT tools have become essential for improving productivity, market access, and resource management. The research explores the current status of ICT adoption, evaluates the economic benefits of digital tools in livestock feeding, and identifies barriers hindering effective implementation. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews with farmers, extension officers, and other stakeholders. Findings reveal that while ICT tools such as mobile phones, radio, and social media like WhatsApp, Instagram, tik tok are increasingly used, adoption remains uneven due to poor networks, and high internet cost. The study concludes that targeted interventions such as farmer training, improved network and reduced internet cost are critical to unlocking the full potential of ICTs tools in livestock management. These insights are vital for stakeholders aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in Uganda
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    Assessment of the impacts of burning regimes on soil quality in the Kakira Sugarcane Plantation in Eastern Uganda
    (Makerere Universitry, 2019) Bamulanzeki, Timothy.
    Burning is a common practice used by farmers before harvesting sugarcanes. Fires cause major changes in soil properties in many agricultural ecosystems but little is known about the effects of burning regimes on soil quality in sugarcane. Such knowledge is important for providing a comprehensive understanding of burning regime effects on soil patterns and for planning appropriate long-term agricultural and management in these sugarcane plantations. Changes in soil physical properties and chemical properties were investigated in sugarcane plantations and treatments included a recently burnt (RB), One year after burning (OYB) and a control of unburnt (NB). Soil samples were collected from 0–10 cm and 10-20 cm depths in order to understand the variations in soils properties with depth. The burning regime effect on physical and chemical soil properties were significantly different from among treatment variations while treatment and depth interaction effect was significant for physical and chemical properties except N and total P content in the soil. Significant short-term effects on soil chemical properties but there were no significant effects on physical properties but the soil structure was disturbed. Soil pH increased significantly in the soil one-year post-fire. SOM and Mg level were significantly lower in recently burnt soils and continued to reduce one year after burning. Total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), increased significantly immediately after burning but significantly reduced one year after the burning and concentrations 10-20cm layer were lower than in the 0-10 cm spoil layer. Total potassium (K) decreased immediately after the burning and then increased one year after. Burning in sugarcanes significantly influences physical and chemical properties and therefore need to understand the long term effects of burning should be addressed to guide proper post burning soil management.